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Fire Technology

Certificate of Achievement

This certificate was developed to assist students who desire to become a firefighter, or desire Fire Technology as a career. This certificate will aid existing firefighters in promoting/advancing through the ranks of engineer, captain, battalion chief, etc. The Bakersfield Fire Department requires an associate degree before a captain can take the promotional exam for battalion chief. This course of study will transfer to a four-year institution.

Note: FIRE B1 is a prerequisite and must be completed before taking other core fire technology courses. FIRE B1 can be waived if the student has completed either academy (B62 or B63) and B2 can be waived for students who have a minimum of two years continuous experience as a full-time paid firefighter. A GPA of at least 2.0 is required in the fire technology program. Of the 30 units required, a minimum of 12 units must be completed at Bakersfield College.

Bakersfield College’s Regional Fire Technology Academy (RFTA) was authorized by the California Fire Service Training and Education System in 1980, with programs of study leading to Certified Fire and Certified Fire Chief. RFTA sponsors many cooperative training programs with federal, state, and local fire protection agencies. Individuals may develop a program suitable to their career goals with the aid of a college counselor. Courses may lead to the achievement of specific career goals, immediate employment, an associate degree, or transfer credits that satisfy requirements for a bachelor’s degree in Fire Technology.

To Achieve the Certificate of Achievement

Upon completion of the following courses with at least a ‘C’ grade in each course, the student will be awarded a Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement.

demonstrate the ability to analyze, appraise, and evaluate fire and emergency incidents and identify components of emergency management and fire fighter safety, including:

size-up.

report on conditions.

Incident Command System.

RECEO.

10 Standard Firefighting Orders.

18 Situations that shout “Watch Out.”

common factors associated with injuries and line of duty deaths.

Total Units: 33.5-36.5

Required Courses

Course #

Title

Units

FIRE B1

Fire Protection Organization

3.0

FIRE B2

Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival

3.0

or

FIRE B7

Building Construction for Fire Protection

3.0

FIRE B3

Fire Command, Strategy, & Tactics

3.0

or

FIRE B5

B Fire Command 1A

2.0

FIRE B4

Fire Behavior and Combustion

3.0

FIRE B5

Fire Prevention

3.0

or

FIRE B51D

Fire Prevention 1A

2.0

and

FIRE B51E

Fire Prevention 1B

2.0

FIRE B6

Fire Protection Equipment and Systems

3.0

EMTC B50

Emergency Medical Technician 1

8.0

Required General Education Courses

Course #

Title

Units

ENGL B50*

Introduction to College Composition

4.0

or

ENGL B1A

Expository Composition

3.0

PSYC B1A

General Psychology

3.0

or

SOCI B1

Introduction to Sociology

3.0

COMM B1

Public Speaking

3.0

or

COMM B2

Interpersonal Communication

3.0

or

COMM B4

Persuasive Communication

3.0

or

COMM B8

Small Group Communication

3.0

*ENGL B60 may be substituted for ENGL B50 or ENGL B1a for Fire Technology Certificate of Achievement only.

Note: FIRE B1 and B2 are waived for students who have a minimum of two years service as a paid, full-time firefighter. A GPA of at least 2.0 is required in the certificate program. Of the 33.5-36.5 units required, a minimum of 12 units must be completed at Bakersfield College.

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Accreditation

Bakersfield College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The ACCJC is one of the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.